Waterbury evening Democrat., 1887-12-20
TRAMPs AND TERRORISM.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1887.
 TRAMPs AND TERRORISM.
 Tramp. Tramp! The boys are marching" Not this time in the ''pride, pomp and circumstance" of war-not to the music of ''the spirit stirring drum and the ear-pierc- ing ife'-not in any of the patriotic and daring movements that marked the national effort for the preservation of the Union. The "boys" of the present, it is alleged, move in the silent watches of the night on lawlessness intent-their "tramp," tramp" is the movement of laziness and lying seeking where they may commit some dep redation-and having hen roosts and chicken coops as the objective points of their midnight manoeuvres. These, and a thousand other delinquencies of graver character are charged against the genus tramp, until thrifty housewives tremble in their shoes at the very name of the par riahs of law-abiding citizens, and legisla- tion is levelled and statutes administered with no merciful hand, against those unfor- tunate beings who have already every hand lifted for their suppression or extermina- tion.
 But is there not danger of pushing this matter too far-danger that in upholding the letter of the law-and in quieting the fears of the timid we may outrage the characteristics of the charity which Christianity enjoins, and place the penalty of crime on the first instinct of humanity, self Representation. The tramps, are, it is said, a great nuisance. So they are. All poverty that comes between the wind and the nobility of the wealthy classes is hui sance. They are horrible in their intru- sion on polite society-yes; but they are horribly hungry. They are unwashed and unkempt and unpleasant to look upon but they have no lavatories to resort to; they are in coats of many colors, or of no colors, but who is to change their rags for decent raiment! They seek lodging at night in stables or police stations, for what de- cent dwelling, or any dwelling, would give the tramp harborages They occasionally steal-these Ishmaels of the Christian dis pensation-but then it is admitted that so- ciety owes living to everybody; and if society will not give, the re- pudiated of society will take. We feel certain that no tramp pursues his travels from choice. The occupation is not an inviting one. In the Summer time it may have its fascinating discomforts; but in these winter days and nights, to be hungry and without bread; to be homeless and not place to rest the body in; to be scant of attire and have not sufficient raj ment to keep out the frosty air or keep in natures warmth. All these conditions-or any of them-are not, we repeat, invitatory of the tramps' profession; do not present inducements to @ life of idleness But many say it is not a matter of choice with them; 1t is a consequence of the loss of confidence that comes of misconduct, and they are only reaping their deserts. Good law perhaps, but false morality. The Shaksperean philosophy meets the intoler- ance: "Deal with every man according to his deserts and who shall escape whip. ping?"
 We are not apologists for the tramp sys tenn as it is understood; but we would be for discrimination so far as it could be ex. ercised. Now, there were number of al legged tramps before our Police Court on Monday. Is it not possible that some of them in their exculpatory explanations made true statements that they were trav cling in search of work9 It is the habit o1 members of many trades and callings tt migrate in such search; they are not pos sessed of money and the toll of travel does not add to their responsibility, ani they are classed as of the objectionable or der and punished accordingly. It is maxim of law everywhere, that it is bette ninety-nine guilty men should go fire, than that one innocent man shonld suffer Our modern interpretation is: better tha ninety-nine innocent men should go tt prison than that one professional tramp should be permitted to prowl and prey or society.
 Let us have legal discrimination accom- panied by Christian charity. And whe1 the houseless and homeless tramps steal lodging in the manager of some stabl building, let our magisterial magnates cal to mind the lesson of that Bethlehem stabl of nineteen centuries ago.
 
 PHILANTHROPIC PEACE PROPOGAN